The union representing pilots at Jazz Aviation claims that their employer and Air Canada have breached the Canada Labour Code, even as it ratified changes to their collective agreement.
On Monday, the Air Line Pilots Association filed a complaint with the Canada Industrial Relations Board arguing that both airlines violated the exclusivity deal between the two and effectively narrowed the pipeline of pilots from one carrier to the other.
Jazz, a subsidiary of Chorus Aviation Inc., provides regional service for the country91裸聊视频檚 biggest airline under the Air Canada Express brand.
In May, Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau announced a 91裸聊视频渂ridging arrangement91裸聊视频� with St. John91裸聊视频檚, N.L.-based company PAL Airlines to boost the number of regional flights in Eastern Canada.
Tim Perry, president of the Air Line Pilots Association91裸聊视频檚 Canadian segment, said that the deal was out of bounds, due to the contract between Jazz and Air Canada.
91裸聊视频淭he arrangement was that it was exclusivity. So when flying was assigned or when deals were struck with PAL, we91裸聊视频檙e basically saying that that was done in contravention of previous agreements,91裸聊视频� he said in a telephone interview from Winnipeg.
Rather than boost compensation and benefits to pilots 91裸聊视频� and thus attract and retain more in order to expand flight capacity at Jazz 91裸聊视频� management took another route, he said. On top of partnering with PAL, that path also saw Air Canada91裸聊视频檚 91裸聊视频渕icromanaging what Jazz and Chorus are able to work out in bargaining91裸聊视频� and setting an effective cap on Jazz91裸聊视频檚 spending, Perry claimed.
Air Canada and Jazz also encroached on pilots91裸聊视频� labour rights by 91裸聊视频渞efusing to comply with contractual pilot 91裸聊视频榝low91裸聊视频� agreements,91裸聊视频� which see a certain number of pilots trickle from Jazz to Air Canada each year, according to a union statement.
Air Canada said it is reviewing the union91裸聊视频檚 filing, noting the airline has a long-standing relationship with Jazz.
91裸聊视频淭his relationship has been instrumental in our ability to serve communities throughout Canada. As this matter is in front of the board, we will not comment further on the complaint91裸聊视频檚 merit,91裸聊视频� spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick said in an email.
91裸聊视频淲ith respect to PAL, it is in the context of Jazz91裸聊视频檚 pilot availability challenges and our desire to continue serving certain communities that some interim lift was acquired through PAL.91裸聊视频�
Chorus said it does yet have the full details of the complaint, and does 91裸聊视频渘ot comment on matters before the labour board or any court or tribunal.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淛azz has a strong history of finding solutions and collaborating effectively with its unions. We look forward to working with ALPA to better understand and resolve their concerns,91裸聊视频� spokeswoman Lauren Dunn said in an email.
The Jazz pilots launched the unfair labour practice complaint the same day 91裸聊视频� Monday 91裸聊视频� that they ratified an amended collective agreement with their Chorus.
Jazz president Randolph deGooyer said the tweaked deal recognizes the upward shift in pilot wages and expands the airline91裸聊视频檚 recruitment and training options.
91裸聊视频淭hrough this modified agreement, we have shown a shared commitment to addressing industry challenges collaboratively,91裸聊视频� deGooyer said in a release.
91裸聊视频淭hese changes will further position Jazz as the leading regional operator in Canada,91裸聊视频� added Chorus president Colin Copp.
